was not able

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not able" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express someone's inability to do something in the past. Example: "She was not able to attend the meeting due to a scheduling conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"She was not able to breathe.

The New Yorker

She was not able to speak.

The New Yorker

It similarly was not able to hover.

Independent

I was not able to.

The Guardian

A car was not able to move.

The Washington Post

Brown was not able to help.

The Guardian

She was not able to nurse it.

The Guardian - Books

"He was not able to identify anything.

The New York Times

I was not able to be sexualized.

The New Yorker

Springer was not able to land safely.

The Guardian

So, I was not able to escape it.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not able" to clearly express a past inability to perform an action, ensuring the context makes it clear why the ability was lacking. Vary your sentence structure by sometimes placing the reason before stating the inability.

Common error

Avoid using "was not able" when the inability is current. Use "is not able" or "cannot" for present situations. For example, instead of saying "He was not able to attend today's meeting", when referring to something in the present, say "He is not able to attend today's meeting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not able" functions as a verbal phrase expressing a past inability or lack of capacity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct way to indicate that someone or something did not have the means or opportunity to perform an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was not able" is a versatile phrase used to express a past inability or lack of capacity. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It is frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, maintaining a neutral tone. For alternative expressions, consider using "could not" or "was unable to" for similar meanings. When using "was not able", ensure the tense aligns with the past context and that the reason for the inability is clear. Remember that "was not able" is an effective way to communicate limitations or constraints in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could not

A more direct and concise way of expressing inability.

was unable to

A slightly more formal synonym for "was not able".

failed to

Implies an attempt was made, but it was unsuccessful.

did not succeed in

Emphasizes the lack of success in achieving a goal.

was incapable of

Highlights a lack of inherent ability or capacity.

was prevented from

Suggests an external force hindered the action.

lacked the ability to

Focuses on the absence of a specific skill or capability.

found it impossible to

Emphasizes the insurmountable difficulty of the task.

met with failure in

Highlights the unsuccessful outcome of an endeavor.

proved unable to

States that something has shown to be beyond someone's capabilities.

FAQs

How can I use "was not able" in a sentence?

Use "was not able" to indicate a past inability to do something. For example: "She was not able to finish the race due to an injury."

What is a more concise way to say "was not able"?

A more concise alternative to "was not able" is "could not". For example: "She "could not" finish the race."

Is "was not able to" more formal than "could not"?

While both phrases are acceptable, "was not able to" can sometimes sound slightly more formal than "could not". The choice often depends on the context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "was not able to" and "was unable to"?

The phrases "was not able to" and "was unable to" are largely interchangeable and carry the same meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.